Experiencing flow with instant messaging and its facilitating role on creative behaviors

The goal of this study is to explore how experiencing flow with IM. an Internet-based communication technology, can facilitate an individual's perception on creativity. We argue that certain capabilities in telepresence and perceived control, provide users a means to experience flow We further investigate whether flow and its outcomes, positive affect and exploratory behavior have any influence on the perception of creativity of the users. Using an online survey with 207 observations we found that user's perceived control over the technology and its ability to transport the user to a virtual environment were shown to facilitate the experience of flow We found that flow in itself does not influence perceived expected creativity in its users but does indirectly influence perceived expected creativity through exploratory behavior and positive affect From these initial findings we believe that our study provides implications for both users and designers on IT. Furthermore, managers can apply the findings during implementation and use of interactive information technologies for communications in the workplace (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved